022 - Planners, Photographers & the Secret to True Collaboration with Haley Kelly

Every photographer dreams of being trusted by top planners, but most don’t know how to get there. In this conversation with Charleston-based planner and designer Haley Kelly, we pull back the curtain on what real collaboration looks like.

Haley shares unfiltered wisdom about what planners actually look for, why “getting coffee” isn’t the golden ticket, and how the most memorable photographers play the long game. From navigating sneak peeks to showing up with personality (not performance), this episode is packed with perspective shifts that will help you build genuine, lasting partnerships.

If you’ve ever wondered how to move from outsider to trusted collaborator, this conversation is your guide.

Timestamps:

00:00 — Intro: Why Planners & Photographers Dance Around Each Other

08:00 — Haley’s Story: Planning, Design & the Heart Behind It

17:00 — What Planners Really Look For In Photographers

22:00 — The Right (and Wrong) Ways to Reach Out to Planners

25:45 — Getting in Sync: How to Actually Collaborate

28:40 — The Myths Photographers Need to Let Go Of

33:00 — Sneak Peeks, Social Media, and Transparency

39:00 — The “Closed Circle” Myth and How to Build Real Connection

47:00 — What Success Looks Like for a Planner (and What Photographers Should Know)

Connect with Haley: https://haleykellyevents.com/

Learn more about the Mastermind: https://learn.bradandjen.com/mastermind-coaching